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The Influence of 3D Printed Prostheses on Neural Activation Patterns

The Influence of 3D Printed Prostheses on Neural Activation Patterns of the Primary Motor Cortex in Children With Unilateral Congenital Upper-limb Reductions

Who can join

Ages 3 to 18 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 3-18 years.
* Individuals missing any digits, hand, arm, shoulder.
* Any dysfunction of the upper limbs.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participants who are outside of age range.
* Participants with upper extremity injury within the past month.
* Medical conditions which would be contraindications to wear a prosthetic or assistive device, Such as skin abrasions and musculoskeletal injuries in the upper limbs.

About the study

The neural basis underlying motor performance in children using a prosthesis has been severely understudied resulting in minimal empirical evidence. The use of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in conjunction with customized and visually appealing 3D printed prostheses would provide the unique opportunity to quantitatively assess the influence of upper-limb prostheses in the neural activation patterns of the primary motor cortex and motor performance of children. This information would increase the investigators limited knowledge of how prosthesis usage influences the primary motor cortex of growing children and use this information to develop rehabilitation programs aimed at reducing prosthesis rejection and abandonment.

What is being tested

• 3D Printed Upper-limb Prosthesis (device)
• Home Intervention (behavioral)

Sponsor: University of Nebraska · Participants: 40 · Started: Jan 10, 2020

Contact the study team

• Jorge M Zuniga, PhD · Phone: 402-429-1288

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT04110730

Locations in the U.S.

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 2, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.